The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-06
wAGNER'S BRIGADE.
How IL Climbed Mission Ridge Along With the
Rest OF the Boys.

How III Climbed Mission Ridge Along With the
Rest OF the Boys.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As IL Is the
custom for comrades 10 mount each writer's
alleged misstatements, some of Nagner's Bri-
gade will feel like dissenting from what Gen.
Wiley says OF the ascent of Mission Ridge
Every officer and private of Sberidan's Division
will remember the situation and the conforma-
ton during the advance on the ridge. Di-
rectly in front Of Bragg's headquarters and
over ground 10 be marched by Sberidans Di-
vision, and especially by Wagner's Brigade
was an open plain, which exposed this division
TO the enemy much sooner than either the right
or left came into open view. Thirty pieces Of
artillery were concentrated and worked furi-
ousy upon this part Of the line, and in order
TO save unnecessary exposure a double-quick
was ordered and maintained nearly across this
open plain, and until the line was carried at
the foot of the ridge quite in advance of any
other point within our range of vision.
The advance-line. and in fact both lines
would have naturally taken a breathing spell
while the right and left came up to an align
ment but by some mistake Col Wood, who was
commanding the brigade on that occasion, or
dered an advance; and the whole line, still ont
OF breath from the rush for the first line of
works, started up the steep ascent under this
concentrated artillery and musketry FIRE of the
Confederate front and TANKS within range
And this before any considerable portion Of the
line either TO the right or left had emerged
from the forests that partially screened them
and their movements.
After perhaps nearly third of the ascent
had been accomplished under this CALLING fire
there came an order to retire and wait for the
other lines. This we felt to be another mis-
take, as we could have gathered some protec.
ton from stumps and stones from the infantry
fire, and the artillery, though terrific in sound.
was doing our front line comparatively little
damage, from the inability TO depress the guns
sufficiently. If we had been ordered to lie
down and wait there would have been fewer
casualties, and a little breath gained that would
have enabled the line 10 move in unison This
little retirement for breath is the ground on
which Gen. Bragg builds his handsome re-
pulse" and on which Gen. Wiley asserts that
Wagner's Brigade was still behind the rihepits
at the foot when Woods Division had scaled
the crest i think both officers and priyates
from this point of observation will bear me out
in saying that the race for the top was glori-
ously even one, and although from the causes
mentioned Wagner's Brigade was little TO the
rear on the start-the writer having caught a
rebel bullet IN one leg when halfway up, had
ample time TO observe-the whole line for miles
think, breaking over the crest very near the
same time, or 30 near that Gen. Bragg could
have very little time for the manuyering of
which COmrade Wiley speaks But as all was
so grandly and glOriously accomplished, we do
not feel very harshly toward Comrade Wiley
for taking 10 himself little more of the glory
and giving us little less.-E. T.. HIBBARD: Co.
q goth Ohio Magners Brigade Lake Geneva,
Wis